Education in the Republic of Ireland

Ireland's education system is quite similar to that of most other western countries. There are three distinct levels of education in Ireland: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary (elsewhere known as third-level) education. In recent years Further education has grown immensely. The economy has driven much of the change since the 1960s.

The Department of Education and Science, under the control of the Minister for Education, is in overall control policy, funding and direction, whilst other important organisations are the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Higher Education Authority. There are many other statutory and non-statutory bodies which have a function in the education system.

Compulsory Education

All children must receive compulsory education between the ages of six and fifteen years in Ireland. Education can be provided in the home in accordance with the Constitution of Ireland, this has caused much legal wrangling for years as to the minimum standards required for home education; the constitution does not provide for the State to define these minimum standards.

Education in the Irish language was compulsory until abolished in 1973, although a student attending a school which receives public money must be taught it. Certain students may get an exemption from Irish; these include students who spent a significant period of time abroad and students with a learning difficulty. English remains the primary medium of instruction at all levels.

Primary Education

The Primary School Curriculum (1999) is taught in all schools, the document is prepaired by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. This is perhaps unusual in that the religious curricula is left to church authorities to formulate, implement and teach in the schools they control. The curriculum seeks to celebrate the uniqueness of the child:

...as it is expressed in each child's personality, intelligence and potential for development. It is designed to nurture the child in all dimensions of his or her life -- spiritual, moral, cognitive, emotional, imaginative, aesthetic, social and physical... ¹

The Primary Certificate Examination (1929 - 1967) was the terminal examination at this level until the first primary school curriculum, Curaclam na Bunscoile (1971), was introduced though informal standardised tests are still performed. The primary school system consists of eight years, these are; Junior and Senior Infants (corresponds to kindergarten), and First to Sixth Classes.

Types of School

Primary education is generally completed at a Gaelscoil, Multidenominational School or National School. Some Multidenominational Schools and Gaelscoileanna are actually National Schools themselves. Like much of the rest of education system the parent has great choice in choosing the type of school appropriate for the child.

Gaelscoileanna are a very recent innovation, started only late in the last century. The Irish language is the working language in these schools. They are particularly en vogue in non-Irish speaking areas.

Multidenominational Schools are another recent innovation. They are generally under the patronage of a limited company without share capital. They are often opened due to parental demand and all are welcome.

National Schools date back to the introduction of state primary education in the mid-19th century. They are usually under the control of a board of management under a diocesan patronage often including a local clergyman.

Secondary Education

Most students attend and complete secondary education, with approximately eighty percent of school-leavers complete the terminal exam, the Leaving Certificate. Secondary education is generally completed at a Community School, a Comprehensive School, a Secondary School or a Vocational School.

There is great freedom in choosing the type of school the child will attend. The education system emphasis at second level is as much on breadth as on depth; the system attempts to prepare the individual for society and further education or work. This is similar to the education system values in Scotland.

Types of Programme

The document Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools published by the Department of Education and Science sets out the minimum standards of education required at this level, examinations are overseen by the State Examinations Commission. Additional documents set out the standard in each element, module or subject.

The Junior Cycle builds on the primary education culminating with the Junior Certificate Examination. The Junior Certificate Examination is taken after three years of study and not before fourteen years of age.

The Transition Year is a one year informal course which is taken by an increasing number of students. The content of this is left to the school to model on the local needs often focusing on work placement and related projects.

The Senior Cycle builds on the junior cycle culminating with the Leaving Certificate Examination. The Leaving Certificate Examination is taken after at least two years of study after the Junior Certificate Examination.

Tertiary Education

Tertiary, Third-level or Higher Level education awards in Ireland are conferred by four universities, Dublin Institute of Technology and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. These are the competent degree awarding authorities of the State and can grant awards at all academic levels. Unlike the rest of the education system entry tends to be highly competitive for school leavers.

Some colleges are constituent or linked colleges of universites, others are designated institutions of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, these include the Institutes of Technology, Colleges of Education and other independent colleges.

Some institutions have completed, others are in a transition phase, whereby they are modularising their courses, mostly using the ECTS system; the Bologna process is the current concern of national policy. The Marks & Standards document, offered by most institutions, can be consulted for information on the range and criteria set down for awards, programme specfications offer additional information.

Ortelius Levels

The sub-degree awards still maintain an important and respected position in Ireland. Similar to other countries there are Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate academic degrees, and (non-academic) degrees honoris causa are also granted.

Designatory title or abbreviation of a degree generally follows international style, particularly American and British. Since most Bachelor and Master degrees are with honours the abbreviation do not include this distinction, thus Hons is never used in the abbreviation.

Ortelius Level 1

The Certificate (HETAC) is a one year course an is generally an introductory, foundation or skills-based qualification. It is only awarded by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC).

The National Certificate (NCert) and National Diploma (NDip) are by far the most common awards at this level and cover a wide variety of disciplines. The DIT Certificate and DIT Diploma, conferred by Dublin Institute of Technology, are comparable to these.

Ortelius Level 2

The Ordinary Bachelor Degree, a three year ab initio course, is generally only offered by the University of Dublin or a College of Education; usually a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Education respectively.

The Honours Bachelor Degree, a four year ab initio course, is offered in a wide variety of disciplines including; arts, business, engineering, law, medicine and science and is offered by default in many colleges and all universities.

Ortelius Level 3

The Graduate Diploma or Higher Diploma is a taught course often requiring a research dissertation. The course is often offered as a reorientation or professional qualification required for entry into professions such as teaching or acquiring new skills after graduation.

The Master's Degree is awarded as either research, taught or a combination. It is often awarded after the completion of a Bachelor's Degree or a Graduate Diploma and takes between one and three years. Unusually the degree is generally awarded at honours level.

The Doctorate Degree is generally offered after original research, the most common is the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Some degrees are particularly indigenous such as the Degree of Doctor of Celtic Studies which is offered by the National University of Ireland.

Further Education

Further Education was for many years the "poor relation" of education. There were many different, often poorly defined, awards offered by a multitude of bodies, both ad-hoc and statutory. Typical areas included apprenticeships, childcare, farming, retail and tourism. These are typical areas of the economy that do not depend on multinational investment and recognition.

The Further Education and Training Awards Council confers awards in the extra-university system. Further Education has expanded immensely in recent years helped by the institutions, because of this the awards types and ranges are been formalised to restore confidence.

Citations

1) NCCA Primary School Curriculum, Chapter 1 (CHM - Compiled HTML File)

External link